Three days after graduating a multi-week training course, the first Special Weapons and Tactics Tactical Response Team was thrust into action December with Coalition forces executed a joint operation in Basrah, Iraq.

The river-focused force filled vital over-watch positions, and maintained active security and communications with Iraqi Police and Army units as well as with Coalition units.

“This demonstrates the capability of this force, and how their training prepared them for real-world missions,” said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

The TRT is a new capability for Iraq allowing the police to have a specially trained cadre skilled in the art of maritime and land-based, urban-strike operations.

The TRT is targeting smuggling networks and will use watercraft to gain access to areas difficult to reach, said a CF advisor to the TRT.

“Once on the objective, the TRT is trained to quickly transition from the water to the land, so the team can quickly interdict a person or facility engaged in illegal activities,” he said.

The region is a patchwork of navigable waterways ranging from rivers and tributaries to man-made canals and vast marshlands. The abundance of waterways coupled with the proximity to the Persian Gulf and Iranian border has IP officers concerned about the smuggling to Iraq’s enemies.

“Outlaws use the river to hideout and transport weapons from across the border,” said the Iraqi lieutenant in charge of the Basrah TRT.

The TRT will also allow the IP a quick means of reaching small villages to either track down an enemy or deliver assistance to fellow citizens, he added.

While the TRT is now considered the lone, elite river-focused strike force in the IP, the training for the team began on land for the IP volunteers coming from numerous precincts in and around Basrah.

The TRT candidates were taught advanced weapons skills and the principles of waterborne insertion and extraction, said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.

“Within a month, I’ve seen leaders emerging within the team, taking responsibility and pushing each other to do better and get stronger … It’s very encouraging,” said the Coalition advisor mentoring the TRT.

For those who recently endured the difficult training and physical demands to see graduation day, they stand ready to protect Iraq.

“We completed the toughest training and became one of the best and most brave within the IP,” said the Iraqi officer in charge of the TRT during his address to the class during graduation.

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Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat distinguishing device

The nature of today’s battlefields require every service member to be rifle savvy regardless of their job, age or rank. With insurgents launching ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks on support elements, it’s more important than ever for Marines to remember their warrior ethos.

One particular Marine, a platoon commander from the Infantry Weapons Repair Shop of 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is a prime example of 233 years of maintaining a combat mindset on the grounds of war.

In March 2008, Chief Warrant Officer Ronald C. Ivy served as the logistics advisor for the I Marine Expeditionary Force’s (Forward) First Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team. The native of Yakima, Wash., who is an armorer by trade, exemplified the phrase, “every Marine is a rifleman,” when led a joint Iraqi Army and coalition patrol for nearly 15 kilometers through hostile territory, March 23.

Ivy’s mission was imperative during the operation. He was to conduct a combat resupply to the gates of Basra, Iraq, after days of intense fighting.

“When I pulled up, it was a typical convoy,” Ivy explained. “I had a better part of 15-20 vehicles behind me.”

Ivy was responsible for leading the convoy of coalition and Iraqi Army vehicles to the gates while under persistent sniper, small arms and mortar fire. At the gates awaited the First Iraqi Army Brigade, the MTT team and members of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, who were all low on essential supplies such as food, water and ammunition.

He integrated both the convoy’s troops and vehicles into the defense of the gates after making sure that all the supplies were delivered to the battle-worn Marines and Iraqi soldiers. What was supposed to be a drop-and-go mission turned into roughly a month-long push into Basra. Throughout the rest of the day, under constant enemy fire, he continued to direct his Marines in support of the defense of the Iraqi Army’s Basra command post.

“The brigade wasn’t moving forward, but we didn’t let them go back,” Ivy said. “When we got to the Basra gates, we had our routine down. Everybody clicked. Everybody did their job.”

During a later mortar attack, while still braving direct and indirect enemy fire, he conducted the ground medical evacuation of two injured personnel.

Ivy describes his actions as just doing what he, as a Marine, needed to do. He said he stands by his actions because they were not only fighting to survive, but they were also fighting to keep the Iraqis in the fight.

This is the kind of situation that every Marine is trained for from the time they leave boot camp, and it’s one that all Marines should remain prepared for.

Ivy has this advice for young Marines like his son, Pfc. Charles Ivy, who is currently serving in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province.

“This is what I tell my son … keep your head on a swivel,” Ivy explained. “When you’re out there you need to have a heightened sense of awareness.

“Not only do you have to watch out for your fellow Marines, but you have to watch out for the Iraqis,” Ivy added. “You can tell which people have negative feelings for you.”

Ivy was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat distinguishing device for his “zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional dedication to duty,” Oct. 17, by the 2nd MLG commanding general, Brig. Gen. Juan G. Ayala.

Ayala, who was an advisor in the First Iraqi Army Division the year prior to Ivy’s actions, is proud of his achievements and sees him as a model for all Marines to follow.

“It was an honor and privilege for me to get to do this,” Ayala said, speaking of the ceremony. “He epitomizes (the phrase), ‘every Marine a rifleman.’”

Marine Corps
By Lance Cpl. B. A. Curtis , 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Security progress in Basra is “overwhelming” and Iraq’s second-largest city could be “another Dubai in the coming decade,” the commander of Multi-National Division – Southeast said June 14, referring to the bustling international business hub.

British Army Maj. Gen. Barney White-Spunner told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Baghdad that Operation Charge of the Knights – ordered by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in March – has “well and truly” turned the tide in the city.

Before the operation, militias controlled large parts of the city. Militia leaders, many under control of Iran, intimidated the populace and turned the city into a crime empire.

Basra is key to Iraq’s success, with oil fields, the port of Umm Qasr and the international airport being economic engines for the region, White-Spunner said.

Since Operation Charge of the Knights began, Iraqi Security Forces have reasserted their authority over the city. “We now find people free to go about their daily business without fear of intimidation,” he said.

Daily life in Basra is much like any other Middle Eastern city, the general said.

An air of normalcy has returned, and the Iraqi government has managed the humanitarian situation with only minimal coalition support, the British general said.

“The curfew’s been lifted, and water and fresh food are obviously in plentiful supply,” he said. “At the same time, Operation Charge of the Knights allowed the Iraqi government to arrest hundreds of criminals and violent extremists who’d taken advantage of the situation.”

But more significantly to Coalition forces and the Iraqi government, the operation showed the militias had little support in Basra.

“Once the leadership fled, the ordinary rank-and-file militia … very soon returned to normal life, which supports our contention that they weren’t committed terrorists or committed militiamen,” White-Spunner said. “They were poor Shiias who didn’t have opportunities for jobs or whatever and have been perverted by the militias.”

Iraqi troops led the operation with advice from embedded military training teams and coalition logistics support.

Continuing the security gains is important to the city’s future. The Iraqis are putting in place a counterterrorist structure so “when those violent extremist elements do try to come back – and some inevitably will – then they’re ready for them,” he said. “There was a slogan scrawled on a bridge in Amarah by one of these fleeing violent extremists. It said, ‘We’ll be back.’ And underneath that, an Iraqi soldier had scribbled, ‘And we’ll be waiting for you.’”

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By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Operation Charge of the Knights, a joint operation involving UK Soldiers and the Iraqi Army, which aims to restore order and improve security in Basra, is making further progress.

The Iraqi Army continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the security situation in the city, carrying out a number of vehicle check points in recent days. Inspections were carried out on a number of vehicles which were going in and out of the city.

In addition, numerous house searches were carried out, leading to multiple arrests of suspected militants. 140 rounds of 150mm High Explosive shells were also found in one area of Basra.

Operation Charge of the Knights, which began in March, is now into its 14th phase. The operation has been one of the key drivers in bringing peace and stability to the streets of Basra in recent months. Elements of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service, with their US and UK Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), can now be seen working in the city.

The MiTTs are working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces and local contractors as pavements are replaced, sewers cleared and rubbish removed from the streets.

In addition elements of the 26th of 7th Division and the 50th, 51st, and 52nd Brigades from the 14th Division Iraqi Army have conducted a number of arms finds and arrests, with teams planning the operations without UK assistance.

“Once again this operation was fully planned and executed by the Iraqi Army,” said Maj. Tom Holloway, spokesman for the Multi-National Division – South East. “These operations demonstrate their capability, professionalism and commitment to the residents of Al Basrah Province. It is enormously encouraging to see the progress made by the Iraqi Army in maintaining the security of the city and its residents.

“Iraqi confidence and capabilities are improving by the day with our help,” he continued. “The overall feeling here is upbeat and cautiously optimistic. We will continue to push for security of Basra by helping the Iraqi Army.”

The 50th, 51st, and 52nd Brigades continue to be mentored by their respective UK MiTT. The MiTTs are embedded with their Iraqi counterparts offering advice and guidance on request. MiTT responsibilities are currently undertaken by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, 2 Royal Anglian, 9th and 12th Royal Lancers and 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. All are part of 7th Armoured Brigade on Op Telic 12.

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The Iraqi Army helped bring stability and security to the streets with Operation Charge of the Knights, but Iraqi National Police are increasing their visibility in the Basra area by taking on more responsibility: maintaining that security and working to clean up the streets in other ways.

Basic services such as sanitation and garbage removal are a concern in several districts of the city. INPs have been working to provide security as the government calls on the local community to assist in cleaning up the streets.

Police are visible during cleanup operations as well as when payments are made to community leaders and local citizens working on the projects.

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